Cassandra Gold

In all honesty, the first 60-70% of the book was boring and nothing that I hadn't read before. So much so, that I kept putting my iPad down and thinking of putting this book aside completely. For most of the book the story was predictable, the love thread was typical, and the language (especially during the sex scenes) seemed like copies of what I've read many other times. Because of all that I didn't connect with the characters at all. So that part of the book--which was most of it--was a show more shaky 2 or 2.5-star read for me.

But then during the last 30-ish%, the story picked up, took a few interesting turns, and with the revelation of some secrets, I actually connected with the characters. I enjoyed the book much more then, and bumped my rating up to 4 stars for that part.

So a combo gives me about 3 stars for the whole book. I really did like the world and the premise of an institute housing and protecting people with supernatural powers. The execution of the story, however, just left me wanting. It was alright overall, and I don't regret reading it, *shrugs* I hear the next one is much better, so I'm looking forward to that one :) show less

I loved this book about a frustrated effeminate gay man, Clay, looking for a long term relationship. He decides to take a wilderness vacation to boost his self esteem and during his vacation he meets and falls in love with a tortured and lost undercover FBI agent, Trent, who is coming off a messed-up undercover-op gone horribly wrong. Their week long journey of falling in love is absolutely magical and I was rooting for them the entire way and had pit in my stomach the whole time, wondering show more how they could possibly have a HEA with everything they were up against once they made it back to their real lives after vacation. But, of course, the author finds a way and I'm a happy camper, just like these two cute boys.

If you love male bonding in the great outdoors, hot fems boys, big, beautiful FBI agents with a bad attitude, great sex in the great outdoors and a romantic love story, I can recommend [b:Clay's Challenge|11376946|Clay's Challenge|Cassandra Gold|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1307158150s/11376946.jpg|16308039] to you.

I did have to knock a star off for the rather abrupt ending. I felt a bit cheated. If you read it, I think you'll see what I mean. show less

I loved this book about a frustrated effeminate gay man, Clay, looking for a long term relationship. He decides to take a wilderness vacation to boost his self esteem and during his vacation he meets and falls in love with a tortured and lost undercover FBI agent, Trent, who is coming off a messed-up undercover-op gone horribly wrong. Their week long journey of falling in love is absolutely magical and I was rooting for them the entire way and had pit in my stomach the whole time, wondering show more how they could possibly have a HEA with everything they were up against once they made it back to their real lives after vacation. But, of course, the author finds a way and I'm a happy camper, just like these two cute boys.

If you love male bonding in the great outdoors, hot fems boys, big, beautiful FBI agents with a bad attitude, great sex in the great outdoors and a romantic love story, I can recommend [b:Clay's Challenge|11376946|Clay's Challenge|Cassandra Gold|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1307158150s/11376946.jpg|16308039] to you.

I did have to knock a star off for the rather abrupt ending. I felt a bit cheated. If you read it, I think you'll see what I mean. show less

I have this spot set aside in my heart just for characters that are fem-y but ultimately unapologetic. Clay has moved in there right alongside of Edward.

I kinda sorta fell in love with Trent too. He and Clay did develop some amazing chemistry!

Love the story all the way through until the very abrupt ending. Noooooo! I needed more! There were too many questions left unanswered. Plus, I admit it, I'm just greedy for more of Clay and Trent together after the trip!